On February 16, 2016 Center for International Strategy, Technology, and Policy (CISTP) hosted Ms. Carmen Kifer for a discussion of the challenges that the US and others face as we seek to rid the world of the threat of chemical weapons once and for all. The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) seeks to achieve a world free of an entire class of weapons of mass destruction to foster cooperation in the peaceful uses of chemistry. The U.S. Army's Chemical Materials Activity (CMA) is the world leader in safely storing, treating, and disposing of chemical weapons.

Ms. Kifer began by providing an outline of the different varieties of chemical weapons and the buildup and varied uses of chemical weapons throughout history. She stated that intent to harm is the distinguishing factor between Toxic Chemicals and Chemical Weapons, distinguished between chemical agents used for riot control and weaponized agents used in war. However, she noted that not all toxic chemicals are used for violence, and pointed to chemicals used in some chemotherapy treatments, as well as part of the plastic used to make cell phones.

The CWC was initially signed in 1993 and ratified in 1997, creating the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The CWC is a wide-reaching, unilateral agreement, which has been signed by all but 4 states worldwide. It differs from previous attempts to limit chemical weapons, as it is a complete ban on the use, storage, production, and trade of chemical weapons. Furthermore, it obligates signatory states to destroy their chemical weapons, remove any chemical weapons used or abandoned on another nation’s territory, and to dismantle production sites. Teams of inspectors are authorized to investigate a state’s chemical weapon capabilities within 48 hours’ notice to ensure compliance with the agreement.

Regarding United States’ progress in chemical weapons destruction, Ms. Kifer noted that the 1993 initial stockpile of 31,000 metric tons situated across 9 sites, has now been reduced to roughly 3,100 metric tons (roughly 10% remaining) across two sites. She mentioned that both the United States and Russia have each safely eliminated 90% of their chemical weapons stockpiles. The initial deadline for 100% elimination was originally 2007, however Ms. Kifer explained that it is better to take time in order to dismantle the weapons safely.

Syria recently signed the CWC in September of 2013, and Ms. Kifer remarked on how quickly the process of signing the agreement to full disposal occurred in Syria. However, this did not come without some significant challenges. No disposal facilities existed within Syria and no outside nations were willing to house the chemical weapons, thus came the implementation of the Cape Ray Decision, which was an important multilateral effort that further showed the resolve of states to eliminate chemical weapons. The Cape Ray Decision dispatched a container ship outfitted with disposal equipment to Syria and much of the Syrian stockpile was disarmed at sea.

Ms. Kifer ended her discussion by looking ahead at how best to protect civilians, and concluded that the “ultimate weapon for disarmament is education.”